Electric switch



Feb. 16, 1954 s. L. FRANK 2,669,616

' ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Sept. 9, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet l fig'.

Feb. 16, 1954 s. L. FRANK 2,669,616 ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed sept. 9, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 WITNESSES:

INVENTOR Sfar) /ey Fon/Y.

Feb. 16, 1954 FRANK 2,669,616

ELECTRIC SWITCH Filed Sept. 9, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 fig /a Patented Feb. 16, 1954 2,669,616 ELECTRIC SWITCH 'Stanley L. Frank, Beave inghouse Electric Corp r, Pa., assignor to Westoration, East Pittsburgh,

Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application September 9, 1947, Serial No. 772,938

12 claims. l

This invention relates generally to electric switches, and more particularly to such switches as are commonly employed in circuits for controlling electrical apparatus.

Electric switches of the type described generally take the form of pushbutton switches, or they may be of the rotary selector switch type. Each type of switch is often used in locations where a liquid, such as the oil used as lubricant or coolant for machine tools may be splashed against the switches, and one object of this invention is to provide a novel switch design of this type which is moisture-proof.

A more particular object of this invention is to provide a novel moisture-proof mounting for a switch operating member in a panel, with the switch contacts being mounted at the back of the panel.

Switches of the type described are used for a great variety of purposes wherein they are required to control in varied manner from one to a number of circuits. Instead of having a relatively large number of different switch designs for such various applications, another object of this invention is to provide a novel switch structure wherein the switch operating member and switch proper comprise novel, separate, interchangeable units.

Anotherobject of this invention is to provide a novel basic switch unit which is capable of use with diiierent types of switch operating units.

Stiil another object of this invention is to provide a novel switch unit having parts some of which are interchangeable, and all of which are adapted to be laid in appropriate recesses in a switch base and to be secured in operative position by such recesses and by a removable cover for the base.

A more specic object of this invention is to provide a novel attachment for a switch of the type described for locking the switch in a predetermined position.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a novel rotary locking means for a pushbutton type of switch.

A further object of this invention is to provide a novel switch operating unit separate from the actual switch unit including the switch contacts.

These and other objects of this invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of preferred em,- bodiments thereof, when taken in connection with the attached drawingst in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation view of a switch constructed in accordance with this invention with the operating unit thereof shown in section, and with the cover plate for the switch unit removed;

Fig. 2 is an end elevation view of a modified switch constructed in accordance with this invention, with the operating unit for the switch being shown in section;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section view of another modied form of switch constructed in accordance with this invention, with the section through the switch unit taken substantially at one set of contacts on the line III-III of Fig. 6, whereas tends substantially centrally thereof;

Fig. 4 is a transverse section view of the switch shown in Fig. 3, taken substantially on the line IV-IV thereof; Y

Fig. 5 is a developed view of the operating cam employed in the switch shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section view taken of a switch like that locking arrangement be used with a number of erating units. The switch of either single or double arrangement as regards the number of poles, and preferably include contacts which may be interchanged and supported in a variety of diiferent ways.

preventing the passage of moisture from the cuter side to the inner side thereof and further Uil,

la molded insulating be observed that rotary operating member, and all of these different types of units have many parts in common.

The operating unit 2 illustrated in Figure 1 of the drawings is shown as being assembled with a switch unit t in a manner which will be hereinafter described. The operating unit 2 includes a tubular supporting sleeve S, preferably of a cast metal, and having a flange d at the inner end thereof adapted to engage the inner side of a supporting panel il. The panel l i may be open at the rear, or enclosed in which case panel Il forms the front wall of a switch box. Preferably, fiange 8 of supporting sleeve S has a positioning pin lll secured thereto which is adapted to be received in a recess provided at a predetermined position on the inner side of panel H. A sealing disc i2 of any desirable moistureproof compressible sealing material, such as rubber or the like, is interposed between flange il of the supporting sleeve and the inner surface of supporting panel H. The outer end of supporting sleeve 6 is threaded for threadedly receiving a clamping ring id which is adapted to secure the sleeve to panel Il when the clamping ring is drawn up tightly. If desired, a washer i6 having an extended portion at one side may be provided between clamping ring ill and panel and this washer may carry suitable indicia for proper identification of the switch, and for operative positions of the switch. Indicator washer Iii preferably is provided with key projections adapted to be received in external grooves IE in sleeve 6 to properly position washer i on the sleeve and prevent relative angular movement.

Supporting sleeve 5 of the switch operating unit is interiorly provided intermediate its ends with a transversely extending web i8 which is Vcentrally apertured for slidably receiving an operating rod 20. A pushbutton 22, preferably of material, is illustrated as being secured to the outer end of operating rod 20, preferably by being molded thereon. Pushbutton 22 is provided with an annular skirt 23 which is engageable with the outer surface of web i3 to determine the extent of inward movement of pushbutton 22. A coil compression spring 2li is interposed between pushbutton 22 and a retainer disc 2d seated on web i8, to normally bias the pushbutton to the outer limit of its movement. The part of retainer disc 2t which seats on web i3 is adapted to engage a sealing disc 23, also of a moisture-proof resilient material such as rubber, for sealing any space between operating rod 2t and the opening through web i8. lThe portion of retainer disc 26 which is engaged by spring 2d is offset into an annular drain recess 34 provided in web i8, and this recess communicates with the exterior of supporting sleeve 5 by means of a plurality of radially extending drain openings 35 (only one of which is shown). In order to permit drainage of liquid through drain openings 36, clamping ring Hi is provided with a plurality of notches 38 in the inner edge thereof, and it will the extreme inner end of clamping ring lil is not threaded, but is actually spaced from the outer surface of supporting sleeve Q to form a drain channel 39 therebetween, so that it is not necessary that a notch 38 be lined up 'opposite each drain opening 36.

The operating unit 2 described above is thus adapted to be secured to a supporting panel il or the like, in a manner to prevent the passage 'of moisture from one side of the panel to the other, and it embodies a pushbutton 22 normally biased to an outer position dened by an operating disc 3@ secured on the reduced inner end of operating rod 20, as by riveting over the outer end of the rod as at 32. The opening through which the operating rod moves is also sealed against the passage of moisture from the front to the rear, and any moisture which may accumulate within operating sleeve 5, particularly when the latter is mounted in a vertical position such as that shown in Figure 1, will drain from the interior of the sleeve through the drain passages provided, irrespective of the relative angular position of clamping ring iii and sleeve '13.

The switch unit d which is employed with operating unit 2 in Figure l is similar to the units 106, H62 and H9 shown in Figures 2, 3 and 6, and accordingly, many of the parts being identical, the same reference numerals have been used throughout to designate such like parts. Therefore, for a better understanding of the construction of these switch units, reference may be had to all of these iigures. Switch unit 4 includes a base @il of insulating material, preferably a molded insulating material. Switch base il is provided with opposed recessed projections il and i3 at one side thereof, and has on the same side another pair of opposed projections 42. All of the projections il, d2 and d3 are spaced apart so as to provide in effect a recessed space ill between the inner ends of the several projections. Projection di has a recess 4S extending throughout the length of the projection and having an outer reduced portion forming an internal shoulder, and projection 43 has a recess lil, the outer end of which is closed. Projections 42 are spaced from opposite sides of projections 4! and is to form spaces is therebetween. Spaced contact receiving slots 52 are provided at the inner side of each projection i2 for receiving one edge of a straight contact member 54, with the opposite edge being received in a recess provided in the adjacent corner of projection Lil. The inner end of each contact 5d is provided at the side adjacent projections Iii and d3, with an extension 56 adapted to be seated in a slot 5t provided in space 48 to thereby hold the contact against lateral movement relative to the base in cooperation with slot E2. Each contact 5d is provided with a shoulder 58 positioned to be engaged by a cover t8 when secured to base Ml, to prevent withdrawal of the contact from slots 59 and 52. Each contact strip 5d is provided with a contact button Gt adapted to be positioned within space d8. As illustrated in Figures l and 2. straight contact strips 515 are secured in the lower set of slots Eil and 52 in each space it on base d, and generally U-shaped contact strips $2 are mounted in the upper slots 52. The U-shaped contacts 62 each have one leg carrying a contact button 6d which is adapted to havey one side received in a slot 52, with the other side thereof resting in the recess provided in the adjacent corner of projection el. The bight portion of each contact E2 is adapted to engage base dil, with the other leg of each contact strip 52 extending beyond projections i2 and resting against an adjacent flange l@ integral with each projection d2. Such other leg of each contact strip 62, as wellV as the outer ends of contact strips 5d, are provided with terminal screws 6G for the purpose of securing conductors thereto. )It is apparent that contact strips v62 are maintained against withdrawal from slots 52 by engagement of cover 63 with the leg of these contact strips which carry contact buttons I4. Preferably, cover 68 is secured in position by any desired means, such as bolts or the like, engaged in openings 61 provided in opposite sides of the base 40 of the switch unit.

The switch unit further includes an operating member 12 of insulating material, preferably a molded insulating' material, adapted to be received in the recess 46 of base projection 4l, and having a reduced operating extension 14 extending through the reduced recess opening at the outer end of projection 4I, to provide a shoulder 16 around three sides of operating member 12 which is engageable with the shoulder adjacent the outer end of recess 46 to limit the extent of outward movement of the operating member. A contact supporting strip 15 is secured to the inner end of operating member 12. preferably by being cemented therein, and it is adapted to have a bridging contact bar 18 slidably mounted thereon. Bridging contact bar 18 is provided with contact buttons 80 on op 'posite sides thereof at each end of the bar, for cooperation with the respective Contact buttons of contact strips 54 and 52. Contact supporting strip 15 has a reduced extension 82 on which is slipped a spring supporting sleeve B4, also preferably of an insulating material. A coil compression spring 86 is adapted to be received in recess 41 of base projection 43, and to react between the closed end of this recess and sleeve 84 to normally bias operating member 12 to its outermost position, where the contact buttons of bridging contact bar 13 engage the upper contacts 64 mounted on the base. It will be observed that the upper end of spring supporting sleeve 84 is provided with a transverse notch 88 for receiving the lower end of contact supporting strip 15 to space bridging contact bar 18 upwardly a predetermined distance. compression spring` 81 which is weak relative to spring 86 is provided on contact supporting strip 15 and reacts between operating member 12 and the contact bridging bar. Preferably, a notch 89 extends across the space between opposed pairs of contacts for the purpose of increasing the creepage distance between each pair of contacts.

It will be observed that the switch unit is preformed to have the various projections, recesses and notches described, so that all of the switch contacts and operating parts may be assembled with the base merely by laying them in their appropriate recesses or slots. Thus contacts 54 and 62 can be merely laid into notches 52, and the entire movable contact assembly comprises parts which are unsecured together, being merely mounted in telescoping relation and held assembled by biasing spring 86. Moreover. the contacts including the movable contact bridgingbar and operating elements therefor are all held against removal from base 4, and against movement from their operative positions relative to the base merely by cover 68.

It will be apparent that the operating meinv ber 12 for the switch unit may be depressed exerting pressure on the outer end of operating extension 14 to be moved from the position illustrated on the drawings wherein the contact buttons of bridging bar 18 engage the upper set of stationary contact strips. to a position where they engage the lower set of stationary contact strips, and extension 14 may be moved beyond this position due to the slidable mounting of the bridging contact bar on contact vsuppOltlng strip A coil 15. with suchmovement acting to compress spring 81 as well as spring 86. As soon as operating extension 14 is released,v spring 86 will return the parts to the position illustrated in the drawings wherein bridging contact bar 18 has its contacts in engagement with the upper set of stationary contacts on base 40'.

The switch and operating units are assembled in operative relation by extending through openings provided at opposite ends of base 40 of switch unit 4. The switch unit may be positioned so that screws 9D may engagein either pair of opposed pairs of threaded sockets 9| provided in the flange 8 of operating unit sleeve 6. as may be convenient. It is immaterial insofar as the operating unit is concerned at what angular position the switch unit is secured thereto, because at any position operating disc 30 of the operating unit will engage operating extension 14 of the switch unit to depress the latter when pushbutton 22 is depressed. and thereby operate the contacts of the switch unit.

The switch shown in Figure 2 of the drawings is similar in many respects to that shown in Figure 1, having many identical parts, and accordingly, these parts have been given the same reference numerals. The operating unit 92 employs a supporting sleeve 6 which is identical with that previously described in connection with the embodiment of invention shown in Figure l, the only difference in this operating unit being that incurred by use of a pushbutton 98 of the mushroom type, so called because it has a relatively large outwardly extending ilange iOD. Since ange IL10 oi the pushbutton prevents the unit from being assembled with panel H byinsertion through the opening in the panel with the button in place, as in the case of operating unit 2 shown in Fig. 1, it is necessary that button 58 be removable; and further to permit assembly of the unit with the button removed, an additional retainer disc 94 is provided for the upper end of spring 24, with the disc being held on operating rod 2U by a pin 96 extending transversely through the rod above retainer disc $4. Pushbutton 58 is provided with a transverse threaded opening for receiving a setscrew |32 adapted to engage an annular groove i4' provided adiacent the upper end of operating rod 20.

In operation the unit 92 functions in a manner similar to unit 2 as described above, in that depression of pushbutton 98 is accomplished manually and spring 24 acts to return the push button to the position shown in Fig. 2. Moreover, spring 24, in addition to biasing the pushbutton to its normal projected position, also maintains sealing disc 28 under pressure to effectively seal the opening in web I8 through which the operating rod moves. In assembling operating unit 92 with panel Il, pushbutton $8 must be removed and reapplied after the unit has been inserted through the opening in the panel. Obviously with pushbutton 98 removed, retainer disc 94 yacts to retain spring 24 in unitary assembled relation.

The switch unit |055 shown in Figure 2 is a double unit in that the base is provided with contact strips 54 and 62 in recesses at opposite sides, with a movable contact assembly for each actuated by separate operating extensions 14, respeetively. Upon depression of pushbutton S8, operating vdisc 3B' will engage the respective operating extensions 14 at opposite sides to simultapreferably screws neously actuate both movable contacts of switch unit |06.

The switch shown in Fig. 3 is of the rotary selector type having an operating unit |08 which is similar in some respects to the operating units previously described. Operating unit |58, however, has a supporting sleeve having a flange I l2 at one end thereof provided with a positioning pin |I4 for cooperation with an aperture in panel I similar to supporting sleeve 6 shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Supporting sleeve ||0 also has a sealing disc I |6 provided between its flange ||2 and panel and held in compressed condition by a clamping ring ||8 engaging the other side of the panel, with a washer interposed therebetween. Clamping ring ||8 Vis threaded on the outer end of supporting sleeve |||l so as to secure the supporting sleeve rigidly with respect to the panel.

Supporting sleeve IE! is provided with a transverse web |22 interiorly thereof intermediate the ends of the sleeve, and this web is centrally apertured for receiving a rotatable operating shaft |24. The operating shaft has a reduced inner end |25 of irregular shape so as to be non-rotatably received in a similarly shaped opening provided in an operating cam |23, which is secured thereto by a screw I3@ extending through a central aperture in the cam and threaded into y A rotatthe inner end of operating shaft |24. able operating handle |3| is adapted to be molded on the outer end of operating shaft |24, and this handle is provided with an integral skirt flange |32, which extends into proximity with abutments |38 and |48 integral with web |22. one side skirt ange |32 of the operating handle has an integral extension |34 adapted to engage opposite edges |36 of the substantially semi-circular abutment |38 integral with supporting sleeve |||l as well as web |22, to limitrotativ'e movement of the handle and shaft |24. Abutment |38 is provided intermediate its 'ends with a bore |49 adapted to receive a coil compression spring |42 for biasing a ball detent |44 into engagement with the lower edge of handle skirt |32. Spaced notches |46 are formed in the lower edge of handle skirt |32 for cooperation with ball detent |44 to define various positions of the operating handle. Preferably, there are three such notches |4i3 for defining two operative positions of the handle, and an intermediate neutral position. The circular segmental abutment |48 in supporting sleeve Ht has the ends thereof spaced from the ends |36 of abutment |38, for a purpose which will appear in the description of the embodiment of invention shown in Fig. o.Y

Supporting sleeve |||l has an annular drain recess |50 with outwardly extending radial drain openings |53 for draining the interior of the supporting sleeve, and clamping sleeve I |8 is notched as at |5| with the notched portions spaced from the outer surface of supporting sleeve HB very much in the same manner as the supporting and clamping sleeves previously described in connection with the embodiments of invention vshown in Figs. l and 2. Operating cam |28 is shown in developed form in Fig. 5 of the drawings as including a high point surface |52 connected with an intermediate surface |54 by sloping surfaces |55, and these, in turn, are connected with a low point surface |58 by sloping surfaces |50, for a purpose to be described.

The switch unit |62v shown in Fig. 3 is similar to the switch units previously desc'ribed'having connection with i' identical parts which are identified by the same reference numerals, and accordingly, description of such parts will not be repeated. The only difference in switch unit |62 is that the straight contacts 54 and U-shaped contacts 62 have been interchanged from the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in that the former are adjacent operating member i2 rather than remote therefrom as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and the U-shaped contact members are remote from the operating member.

It willbe apparent that with switch unit |62 assembled with operating unit |08, as shown in Fig. 3, operating extension 'I4 of the switch unit is in engagement with low point surface |58 of operating cam |23 of the operating unit. Upon rotation of operating handle |3| in a counterclockwise direction, operating extension 'i4 of the switch unit will be forced down by engagement with a sloping surface ||i and eventually seat on intermediate point surface |54 where the contacts of bridging contact bar 'f8 will be at a position intermediate the contacts iid of contact strips 54 and 62. Upon continued rotation of the operating handle in the same direction, operating extension i4 will be forced downwardly a further amount by a sloping surface |53 of the cam onto high point surface |52 wherein the contacts of bridging contact bar 'E8 will engage the contacts t4 of the contact strips t2. Obviously rotation of operating handle |3| in a reverse direction back to the position shown in Fig. 3, will cause the contacts to be operated in a reverse manner back to the position shown in this figure. Ball detent |44 in cooperation with notches |46 operates to define and hold the operating handle at each of the three positions described.

The switch shown in Figure 6 of the drawings embodies an operating unit |64 which has a combined push-button and rotary selector operating member. This unit employs a supporting sleeve which is identical with that shown in Fig. 3, and accordingly, a detailed description of this sleeve and its mode of support on panel will not be repeated. The operating button |66 has a relatively short integral skirt |53 and normally is held at a position spaced from the abutments |38 and |48 within the supporting sleeve by spring 24. However, skirt |58 of the operating button has an integral projection |13 for defining certain rotative positions of the operating button, and for guiding the button in its sliding movement. An operating cam |72 is secured to the inner end of operating rod |25, and has a high point surface |14 with a shoulder H5 at each end adjoining sloping surfaces |73 at each side thereof which terminates at an open side |13 of the cam.

Operating unit |64 may be asembled with the switch unit |19 which is identical in most respects with the unit shown in Fig. 2, being of the double type like the unit of `Fig. 2, out with the contacts 54 and 52 positioned like those in Fig. 3, that is, with straight contacts 54 adjacent operating member 12 and U-shaped contact' strips 52 remote therefrom. With operating unit |54 and switch unit |'|9 assembled as shown in Fig. 6, it will be apparent that one operating extension l of the switch unit is positioned in the open side |18 of the operating cam when operating handle extension I'i is in engagement with one end |355 of circular abutment |38 within supporting sleeve HQ. At the same time the opposite operatmg extension 14 of switch unit' |19 will be in engage- 'mentwith the high point' surface |74 of the op- 9 erating cam which will maintain the movable contact of that extension intermediate that of its iixed contacts. Since projection |18 of the operating handle is then at a position between the ends of supporting sleeve abutnients |88 and |48, the handle may be depressed to move the switch operating extension 14; in engagement with high point surface i14 of the operating cani to a position where the contacts of its bridging contact bar engage the contacts 68 of Contact strips 62, without moving the operating exten-- sion 14 which is located at the open side |18 of the operating cam. Of course, when handle |88 is depressed, it cannot be rotated because projection |19 is then located directl-y between adjacent ends of supporting sleeve abutments |38 and |48. When the handle is released and returned to the position shown in Fig. 6 by its biasing spring 24, it is prevented from unintentional rotation by shoulders |15. However, when the handle is at its extended position, it may then be manually rotated, since handle projection |18 will then be located in a plane above supporting sleeve abutment |48. Rotation may occur only in a countercloolnvise direction from the position shown in Fig. 6 because the lower end of projection |18 is not above the upper surface of circular abutment E38 of the supporting' sleeve. In thus rotating operating handle |68, a sloping surface |19 of the operating cam will force the operating extension 14 located at the open side H8 of the cam downwardly while the other operat ing extension 14 will be forced over a shoulder |15 land onto the other sloping surface iiii which will permit the operating'extension 18 which been in engagement with the high point surface |1 of the cam to be moved upwardly by its biasing spring 86 to its fully extended position. Projection |18 of operating handle |86 will finally engage the other end supporting sleeve at a position about 180 from that shown in Fig. 6, where the operating member may be again depressed for operation solely of the operating extension 1'4 which was unaf fected when the button was depressed in the position shown in Fig. 6. It is believed apparent that the combined pushbutton and selector switch shown in Fig. 6 may take the place of two separate buttons employed in the control of mo'- tors where it is desired to manually inch the motor. For this purpose one part of the double switch unit |19 being capable of performing this inching function upon depression of operatL ing handle |66 when at one extreme of its rotative movement, with the other set of contacts of the switch unit being used to start the motor by depression of the operating member when 'at the other extreme of its rotative movement.

It is often desirable, particularly with push# button switches of the type shown in Fig, l, to have provision for locking the pushbutton memu ber at a depressed position. One means oi accomplishing this with an operating unit 2 or" the type shown in Fig. 1 is illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 as an attachment for such an operating unit. This locking attachment comprises a mounting ring |8| adapted to be secured on the `outer end of supporting sleeve 8, as by setscrews |83 at one side of the mounting ring. An integral extension |85 fis provided vat one side of mounting ring |8| with an `aperture |81, for a purpose to be described. A locking ring |86 is provided with inwardly extending pins i82 adapted to ybe -received in inclined grooves |84 provided in opposite sidesof mounting ring |8|, when thlocki'gfring |39 of abutment |38 of the is telescoped over the mounting ring. Locking ring |88 is provided with an inwardly extending iiange |88 at one -side adapted to be received in an inclined cutout portion 89 of the mounting ring, and with an opposed longer iienge |86 adapted to extend over a similarly cutout portion |9| in the upper edge of mounting sleeve |8|. Flange |86 is adapted to extend over pushbutton 22 for a purpose to be described. Locking ring is provided with a bore |98 opening beneath iiange 86 for receiving a coil compression spring |92 which urges a ball detent lili; downwardly into engagement with the upper surface of mounting ring |83. Locking ring |88 is provided with integral extension |96 which is apertured as at |91 similar to the extension |85 of mounting ring |8|.

It will be apparent that locking ring |8|) may be rotated relative to mounting ring |8| by grasping extension |98 thereof and moving it to the extent permitted by slots |84 in which pins |82 are received. The parts are illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9 at the innermost position of locking ring |88 where its pins 82 are received in the innermost ends of grooves |84 of mounting ring |85. At this point ball detent |94 is received in a recess v|98 for defining the locking position of ring |80 wherein iiange |86 holds pushbutton 22 at a depressed position, for example, a position wherein the contacts of bridging contact bar 18 are intermediate the iixed contacts of the associated switch unit. At this position of locking ring |88, the opening |91 in its extension |96 is aligned with the opening |91 in the extension |85 of mounting ring |8|, so that a padlock or similar locking member may be inserted through both openings to loci; the pushbutton at this position. Upon rotation of locking ring |88 counterclockwise from the position shown in Fig. 8, it will be apparent that its pins |82 riding in slots |84 will cause the locking ring to move outwardly relative to mounting ring |8| during such rotative movement so that when its extension |96 is at the dotted line position shown in Fig. 8, its iiange |86 will no longer maintain pushbutton 22 depressed, and the ring will remain at this position due to engagement of ball detent |94 with a second depression 200 in the upper edge of mounting ring 8|.

The pushbutton locking arrangement described above is particularly described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 362,723, iiled June 19, 1953 on Electric Switches and assigned to the same assignee of this invention.

In the various embodiments of the invention described above, it will be apparent that the invention comprises novel forms of switches, each of which comprises separate operating and switch units which may be assembled in a plurality of diierent relations. The operating units include reciprocable or rotary operating members, and one unit has an operating member which is capable of both reciprocable and rotative movement all for the purpose described. These operating units are similar in structure as to their supporting sleeves and as to the provision for preventing the passage of moisture therethrough, as well as to the means for draining accumulated liquid. As a matter of fact, oi the four diierent types of operating units disclosed herein, there a-re only two different supporting sleeves. As regards the switch units, except for the di'lerences between a-single and double unit, these all are identical except as they illustrate the fintrch'ang'eability of the stationary contacts.

1i The switch units are all illustrated as embodying straightcontact strips 54 for one set of contacts and U-shaped contact strips 62 for the other set of contacts, with straight contacts 54 comprising the upper set of contacts in Figs. 3 and 6 so that terminal `screws G6 face downwardly for the purpose of ,making wire connections from the rear of panel I l, and with the positions of the contact strips 54 and 62 reversed in Figs. 1 and 2 to enable wire connections to be made from the front. These units may also employ U-shaped contact strips 62 for both sets of contacts or might employ straight contact strips 5d for both sets of contacts except that the latter arrangement would bring the terminals B very close together and would be objectionable because of this small clearance factor and, therefore, would be employed only for extremely low voltages unless additional insulation is provided. It is believed also apparent that `any of the operating unitsrdisclosed may be employed with any of the switch units depending upon the circuits to be controlled and the functions desired in connection with that particular circuit.

Having described preferred embodiments of this invention in accordance with the patent statutes, it is desired that the invention be not limited to these particular devices inasmuch as it will be apparent that many changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the broad spirit and scope of this invention. Accordingly, it is desired that the invention be interpreted as broadly as possible and that it be limited only as required by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. Switch structure adapted to be mounted in an opening through a support, comprising, an operating unit including a sleeve member adapted to extend through said support opening and having means for securing said sleeve in said opening, a switch operating rod mounted for rotative and reciprocating movement in said sleeve and extending substantially centrally therethrough, manually operable means secured to the outer end of said rod, an actuating cam disc on the inner end of said rod, resilient means reacting between said sleeve and rod for normally biasing said rod to an outer position; cooperating stop means rigidly mounted on said sleeve member and manually operable means for limiting rotation ofthe latter, and for permitting reciprocation of said manually operable means only at selected rotative positions thereof; a switch unit comprising, a base having stationary contacts and at least one movable contact mounted on a reciprocally movable contact carrying member which has an actuating part projecting from one side of said base at a position offset from the center of the base; and means for securing said switch unit to the inner end of said operating unit with said contact carrying member part at either side of the center so as to be actuated by said actuating disc in response to movement of said operating rod.

2. Switch structure adapted to be mounted in an opening through a support, comprising, an operating unit including a sleeve member adapted to extend through said support opening and having a iiange at one end adapted to engage the -inner side of said support, a clamping ring threaded on said sleeve member to engage the outer side of said support when drawn tight to secure said sleeve member in said opening, a movable operating rod extending longitudinally of said sleeve member, an enlarged operating member permanently secured to the inner end of said rod, switch means mounted at the inner end of said sleeve member for operation by said operating member, resilient means in said sleeve reacting between said sleeve and an abutment on said shaft, an enlarged operating head removably secured on the outer end of said rod, and cooperating stop means on said sleeve member and operating head for limiting both rotative and longitudinal movements of the latter.

3. Control switch structure comprising, stationary contact means, reciprocable contact means movable into and out of engagement with said stationary contact means, a rotary contact operating shaft having one end extending into proximity with said reciprocable means and having cam means thereon for causing reciprocation of said reciprocable means upon rotation of said shaft, a manually operable knob on the other end of said shaft, said knob having an integral inwardly extending skirt and detent means for determining various contact positions by cooperation with appropriately spaced notches in the inner edge of the skirt of said knob.

4. A switch unit, comprising, a base of insulating material having recesses at one side thereof, certain of said recesses comprising slots extending into said base from said one side to slidably receive stationary contact strips, another of said recesses extending substantially transversely of said first-mentioned recesses and opening at an edge of said base adjacent said one side for slidably receiving a movable contact-carrying member, said member and recess having cooperating shoulders limiting outward movement of the member, movable contact means slidably but non-rotatably telescoped onto said member for limited sliding movement relative thereto dened by an outer shoulder on said member and by resilient means having shoulder means acting on said member inwardly of said movable contact means for biasing said member toward the open end of said other recess, means biasing said movable contact means to the inner limit of its movement relative to said member, said resilient means comprising the sole means for holding said contact means on said member, and a cover removably secured to said one side of said base for holding all of the aforesaid parts mounted in saidrecesses in place.

5. A switch unit, comprising, a base of insulating material having recesses at one side thereof, certain of said recesses comprising slots extending into said base from said one side to slidably receive stationary contact strips, another of said recesses extending substantially transversely of said first-mentioned recesses and opening at an edge of said base adjacent said one side for slidably receiving a movable contact carrying member, contact means carried by said member, there being at least two of said recess slots spaced along said other recess, one of said contact strips being flat and having a terminal portion of reduced width extending from said one side of said base, the contact strip in the other recess slot having a terminal portion extending angularly away from said first contact strip to the outside of said base, said recess slots being substantially identical so that said two types of contact strips may be mounted in either, and a cover removably secured to said one side of said base for holding all of the aforesaid parts mounted in said recesses in place. n

6. Switch structure comprising, tubular supatea-tie 'porting means, a yswitch mounted at 'one end of said supporting `means and having reciproc'able contact means movable into and out of engagement with stationary contact means, an operating shaft movably mounted in said supporting means and having one end extending into proximity with said reciprocable means and having means thereon to cause reciprocation of said reciproca-ble means upon movement of said shaft, a handle on the other end of said shaft having an inwardly extending skirt, an inwardly extending stop projection on said handle skirt, an arcuate abutment in said supporting means having its ends positioned to be engaged by said projection for limiting rotative movement of said handle, and cooperating detent means on the inner end of said handle skirt and said abutment located at a point at the outer lsurface of said abutment intermediate the ends thereof.

7. Switch structure comprising', tubular supporting means, a switch mounted at one end of said supporting means and having reciprocable contact means movable into and out of engagement with stationary contact means, an operating shaft movably mounted in Vsaid supporting means and having one end extending' into proximity with said reciprocable means and having means thereon to cause reciprocation of said reciprocable means upon movement of said shaft, a handle on the other end of said shaft, an inwardly extending stop projection on said handle, annularly spaced stop abutments in said supporting means for limiting rotative movement of said handle, an 'arcuate abutment in said supporting means intermediate said 'spaced abutments for preventing sliding movement of said handle and shaft inwardly, and at least one end of said arcuate abutment being spaced from the adjacent one of said spaced abutments a distance to accommodate said stop projection to permit inward sliding movement of said handle and shaft at one rotative position thereof while preventing rotation thereof when moved inwardly,

3. Switch structure comprising, a supporting sleeve member adapted to be mounted in an opening provided in a supporting plate member, an operating member movably mounted in said sleeve member and having an operating handle on its outer end and a switch operating member at its inner end, a switch base of insulating material having a plurality of mounting holes therethrough so that it may be mounted in proximity to said svitch operating member on said plate member or on a support at the opposite side thereof, said base having recesses at one side thereof, certain of said recesses comprising slots extending into said base from said one side to slidably receive stationary contact strips, another of said recesses extending substantially transversely of said first-mentioned recesses and opening at an edge of said base adjacent said one side for slidably receiving a movable contact carrying member, contact means carried by said member, there being at least two of said recess slots spaced along said other recess, one of said contact strips being fiat and having a terminal portion of reduced width extending from said one side of said base, the contact strip in the other recess slot having a terminal portion extending angularly away from said first contact strip to the outside of said base, said recess slots being substantially identical so that said two types of contact strips may be mounted in either, and a cover removably secured to said one side of said base for holding '14 all of the aforesaid parts mounted in said recesses in place.

9. Switch structure comprising, portin-7 means, a switch mounted at one end of said supporting-means and having reciprocable contact means movable into and ont of engagement with stationary contact mea-ns, 'an operating shaft movably mounted Vin said supporting means and lia-ving one end extending -int'o proximity with said reciprocable means 'and having means thereon to cause reciprocation of said reciprocable means upon movement of said shaft, a handle on the other end of said shaft, an Iinwardly extending stop vprojection on said handle, annularly spaced stop abutments in said supporting means for limiting rotative movement of said handle, an 4arcuate abutment in said supporting means intermediate Ysaid spaced abutments for preventing `sliding movement of ysaid handle and shaft inwardly, 'and opposite ends of said arcuate abutments being spaced from said spacedabutments, respectively, a distance to accommodate said vstop projection to permit inward sliding movement of said` handle and-shaft attwo spaced rotative positions thereof while preventing :rotation thereof during such inward movement.

1G. Switch structure comprising, tubular supporting-means, a switch mounted at'one end of said supporting means and having `reciprocable contact means movable into and out of'engagement with stationary contact means, an operating shaft movably mounted-in said fsupporting'means and having one end extending,intoproximity with said reciproca-ble means and having'means thereon to cause reciprocation Vof said reciprocable means upon movement of said shaft, a-handle on the other end of said shaft, an inwardly extending stop projection on said handle, annularlyspaced stop abutments in said supporting means for limiting rotative movement of said handle, an arcuate abutment in said supporting means intermediate said spaced abutments for preventing sliding movement of said handle and shaft inwardly, and at least one end of said arcuate abutment being spaced from the adjacent one of said spaced abutments, whereby depending on the size of said stop projection it may be receivable in the space between said one spaced abutment and the arcuate abutment to permit inward sliding movement of said handle and shaft at one rotative position thereof while preventing rotation thereof when moved inwardly, or the stop projection may bridge said space and prevent any inward movement of said handle and shaft.

1l. Control switch structure, comprising, stationary contact means, reciprocable contact means movable into and out of engagement with said stationary contact means, comprising spaced reciprocable contact carrying members, actuating means for said members comprising an actuating rod mounted for rotary and longitudinal sliding movement in a direction paralleling the direction of reciprocable movement of said members, fixed stop means limiting outward movement of said rod, an operating member secured to the outer end of said rod for both rotating and reciprocating the rod, an operating member carried by said rod and located at one side only adjacent said members so as to be capable of engaging only one of said members at a time, said members being biased to extended positions adjacent said operating member, and said rod being biased to an extended position away from said members, whereby said rod may be angularly adjusted while at its aforesaid extended position to select tubular supeither one of said members to be actuated upon reciprocable movementI of said rod while the other member is unaffected by such reciprocable movement, and cooperating stop means on said rod and a stationary support, respectively, including angularly spaced stop members for limiting rotative movement of said rod, and said respective stop means having longitudinally extending slidably engageable surfaces at the limiting positions to limit rotative movement of the rod during reciprocation thereof.

12. Control switch structure comprising two sets of spaced stationary contact means, a reciprocable contact carrying member for each of said sets of contact means movable into and out of engagement with the contact means of its respective set of contact means, actuating means for said members comprising an actuating rod mounted for rotary and longitudinal sliding movement in a direction paralleling the direction of reciprocable movement of said members. xed stop means limiting outward movement of said rod, an operating member secured to the outer end of said rod for both rotating and reciprocating the rod, cylindrical cam means carried by said rod facing said members, said members being biased toward said cam means, and said cam means having a recess at one side so that at one angular position of said rod the member opposite the recess of said cam means is moved to the extreme of its movement under the iniiuence of its bias while the other member is held at a position intermediate the stationary contact means of its set of contact means by direct engagement with said cam means and can be actuated into engagement with one of its associated stationary contact means by reciprocable movement of said rod, while at another angular position of said rod said other member will be positioned opposite the recess of said cam means and moved to the extreme of its movement under the inue'nce of its bias and the rst mentioned member will be held at a position intermediate the stationary contact means of its set of contact means by direct engagement with said cam means and can be actuated into engagement with one of its associated stationary contact means by reciprocable movement of said rod, and cooperating stop means on said rod and a stationary support, respectively, including angularly spaced stop members for limiting rotative movement of said rod, and said respective stop means having longitudinally eX- tending slidably engageable surfaces at the limiting positions to limit rotative movement of the rod during reciprocation thereof.

STANLEY L. FRANK.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,106,581 Unwin Jan. 25, 1938 2,190,299 Van Valkenburg Feb. 13, 1940 2,274,454 Murphy Feb. 24, 1942 2,303,516 Von Mehren Dec. 1, 1942 2,357,971 Robbins Sept. 12, 1944 2,357,973 Robbins Sept. 12, 1944 2,368,083 Adam Jan. 30, 1945 2,380,933 Belley Aug'. 7, 1945 2,390,344 Ayers et al Dec. 4, 1945 2,403,051 Christensen July 2, 1946 2,432,955 Wallace et al Dec. 16, 1947 2,445,558 Boisseau July 20, 1948 2,460,034 Robbins Jan. 25, 1949 2,456,039 Reynolds Mar. 22, 1949 2,484,424 Rosing Oct. 11, 1949 2,436,982 Melelburg Nov. 22, 1949 2,498,614 Tregoning Feb. 21, 1950 2,506,595 Jeirey May 2, 1950 2,562,420 Furnas July 31, 1951 

